Aviation Act of 1917 was a United States military appropriations bill authorizing a temporary increase for the United States Army Signal Corps. The Act of Congress authorized provisions for airship or dirigible operations governed by the U.S. Army Signal Corps Aeronautical Division. The legislation provided United States President Woodrow Wilson emergency authority for the maintenance, manufacture, operation, purchase, and repair of airships and associated aerial machines.
Sections of the Act In an attempt to meet the progressive necessities of World War I, House bill 5326 was penned as ten sections by the United States 65th Congressional session.
Sec. 1 – Temporary Increase of Army Signal Corps and Aviation Sections
Sec. 2 – Additional Commissioned Personnel Authorized Qualifications Appointments by U.S. President Appointments by U.S. President and Senate
Sec. 3 – Additional Enlisted Men by Enlistment or Draft Age limit for men drafted Chauffeur grades created Chauffeur pay and rank
Sec. 4 – Organization of Tactical Units Headquarters and detachment units
Sec. 5 – General Officers Appointed for Staff and Other Duties Temporary appointments for created vacancies
Sec. 6 – Rating of Aviators and Aeronauts Certificates of qualifications Examinations Ratings for service requirements Exceptions in war time Aeronauts rank increase Flight duty financial compensation
Sec. 7 – Ratings of Enlisted Mechanicians Balloon mechanicians compensation
Sec. 8 – U.S. Army Comprehensive Compensation U.S. Army troop strength levels
Sec. 9 – Emergency Authority for Airships and Aerial Machines Buildings and motor vehicles Aviation stations Sites and buildings Use of public lands Improvements of sites Buildings and structures Water, lights, and plumbing Roads and wharves Subsistence equipments Fuel supplies Construction machinery and tools Special clothing Domestic and abroad travel expenses Vocational training Compensation for reserve officers and enlisted personnel called into service Pay accounts Development of airplanes and engines Manufacturing plants maintenance Schools for aviation technical instructions New equipment exchanges Foreign instructors travel compensation within the United States
Sec. 10 – Appropriation
Associated United States Federal Statutes United States legislation for the governance, service, and training of airships designed and developed for military operations.
Date of EnactmentPublic Law No.U.S. Statute No.U.S. BillU.S. PresidentJuly 18, 1914P.L. 63-143Woodrow WilsonJune 24, 1926P.L. 69-422Calvin CoolidgeFebruary 23, 1927P.L. 69-629Calvin CoolidgeMay 11, 1928P.L. 70-366Calvin CoolidgeFebruary 16, 1929Pub. Res. 70-87Calvin CoolidgeMarch 2, 1929P.L. 70-994 Calvin Coolidge
See also 1917 in aviation Gordon Bennett Cup 1930 Graf Zeppelin stamps Helium Act of 1925 Aero Club of America History of aviation Airship hangar List of aerospace museums Aviation Service Act National Defense Act of 1916 Balloon buster Observation balloon Balloon Pilot Badge Observer Badge Dirigible Pilot Badge Strategic bombing during World War I German bombing of Britain, 1914–1918 Timeline of US Navy airship units (pre-WWII) Historic Airship Hangars in United States Goodyear Airdock Marine Corps Air Station Tustin Hangar One (Mountain View, California) Naval Air Station Tillamook Henry Post Army Airfield Scott Field Historic District Lakehurst Hangar No. 1 Weeksville Dirigible Hangar Lighter-Than-Air Aircraft of United States Aerostat R38-class airship Alclad U.S. Army airships E-class blimp U.S. Navy airships Metal-clad airship ZMC-2
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